Last Updated on Oct 15, 2025 @ 16:23:24 PM.
Rader. The final boss of Split Fiction, and everything the previous 10 or so hours have been leading up to. He may be the end-game villain of the ordeal, and as such, he is as difficult to beat as you’d expect, but don’t worry, with this guide on how to beat Rader, you’ll be vanquishing him soon.
How to Defeat Rader
Rader, the owner and founder of Split Fiction‘s Rader Publishing, is a particularly thorny and unsavoury character throughout the story. Pretty quickly, you’ll find out not everything is as it seems with the opportunity presented to Mio and Zoe, and you’ll be counting down the chapters until you get to face Rader in a larger-than-life boss fight. Well, now is your opportunity, but it’s also the longest boss fight in the game.
Phase One
The opening moments of the fight can be overwhelming, but all you need to remember is to dodge Rader’s attacks, stay towards the back of the platform, and prepare to see some old foes throughout this boss fight.
To make matters worse, as well as missiles and ground attacks, Rader will mess with the platform itself, removing parts of it, bending it, and so on. You’ll have to counter these moves with quick thinking and nimble footwork.
Quickly after, you’ll see purple glitches arrive on the platform, and both Zoe and Mio should make it a priority to collect these, albeit dodging and surviving. Collect enough, and you’ll be rewarded with a ranged Gatling Gun to finally be able to unload on him. Now, you’ll want to spend your time between shooting him, dodging his attacks, and surviving, whilst slowly whittling his health down.
Phase Two
After dropping the platform and ending the first phase, you’ll be tasked with navigating a series of weird and wonderful platforming moments that need to be seen to be believed. Once you’ve successfully done this, you’ll be faced with beating Rader for a second time, although he now has a shiny, massive sword to attack you with.
Jump, dodge, and run as you see fit to avoid the sword swipes, before the fight follows a similar routine to the first phase. You’ll see the same purple glitches that were in the first phase, as well as a major through-theme of Split Fiction, so go and quickly collect them, and then meet your partner in the centre of the arena again.
This time, you’ll be rewarded with a huge energy sword, which you can throw through the air at Rader. A useful tip: hold down the trigger as if it were a gun, don’t tap it individually. Same as last time, you just need to dodge and jump your way to success, and eventually his health will dwindle to nothing, and you’ll be treated to another bonkers platforming section.
Phase Three
The final phase of the boss fight, and now you’ll really earn the right to beat Rader. He’s done pulling his punches and decides to use his powers to the fullest extent possible.
First, Rader will bring out the Parking Attendant and attempt to smash you into the floor, before a pair of gauntlets make an appearance, all at the same time as you being forced to dodge his ground attacks.
You’ll quickly realise this entire phase is one big callback to the prior levels, and on a contextual basis, the ideas that Rader has stolen during your time in the machine, in his attempt to use them against you. All you need to do is what you have been doing already. Dodge the Parking Attendant, jump over the sharks, avoid the ogres, and continue fighting him.
For the last time, collect the glitches and be rewarded with a super weapon. This time, it’s a slow, yet powerful grenade launcher, which, unlike the last two weapons, allows you to both jump/dodge whilst firing, so don’t let up. Once you see his health bar hit zero again, he’ll fall from the platform, and you’ll follow. Avoid the environmental obstacles, and then both Mio and Zoe will force Rader from the machine and simulation, and that’s it. Not only have you defeated Rader, but you’ve now beaten Split Fiction. Well done. Now buckle in and go round again.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out our article containing every WWE 2K25 Locker Code, or how to get every MyFACTION Persona Card in WWE 2K25.
Luke Addison is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Thumb Wars. Having previously been a part of multiple outlets over the years, including building an entire gaming team from nothing to something, he thought it best to forge his own path and answer only to himself. As likely to be found playing the latest game as he is in the kitchen relaxing (by cooking), he always brings the same bold and brash attitude to everything he does, with a heavy leaning on sarcasm and dry wit!
